In 1963, American Motors impressed the powers-that-be at Motor Trend so much that they named the all-new Rambler Classics and Ambassadors “Car of the Year.” The overall execution improved significantly over the 1962 models, including the use of curved side glass. The 1964 editions changed little, with the most noticeable change being the front grille, which was no longer inverted. The seller has a freshly repainted 1964 Classic 770 which might be nice enough to collect a few awards. Located in Mount Prospect, Illinois, this low-production coupe (669 units) is available here on craigslist for $14,900. Rocco B. brings us yet another cool tip!
Though the 1963 Classics and Ambassadors were a hit by AMC standards, sales proved to be unsustainable in 1964. The two cars rode on the same wheelbase and weren’t that much larger in size than some compacts. That put the Ambassador at a disadvantage in competing in the luxury market, and the Classic in the mid-size segment that exploded in 1964 when General Motors came on board. So, new sheet metal in 1965 made the car look bigger, and the Ambassador got a longer wheelbase.
The seller says this 1964 Classic 770 (top trim level) is one of fewer than 700 cars produced as a 2-door sedan. Add to that, it has a 287 cubic-inch V8 instead of the more common 196 inline-6. That motor is original (30,700 miles?), paired with an automatic transmission that is floor-shifted with bucket seats. After 62 years, you’d be hard-pressed to find another Classic as sharp as this one.
We’re told the Lancelot Turquoise Metallic paint has been newly reapplied, so the car looks great. The Rambler sports aftermarket wheels, though I’d prefer the standard steel wheels and full covers. The interior presents well, too, though part of the dash pad doesn’t match in color and may have been lifted from another 770. At a minimum, this Rambler is a nice driver and may be fine enough to contend for a few trophies.
This nice Rambler didn’t stray too far from home, maybe 60 miles from Kenosha, WI. My grandfather had a white ’64 440 sedan with the eye popping red interior, so I have a fondness for this year. Great memories.
Mount Prospect, you say? I know a couple of brothers who took advantage of that local municipality’s auto auction and scored big time…
Was kinda curious about the floor shift transmission-found that it was the 1st year that Rambler used the “Shift-Command“ , a 3 speed that was unique for the time because it wasn’t mounyptec on the steering column and it could be shifted manually as well. It was also known as the “Borg-Warner Flash-O-Matic”and used in Studebakers, Cornbinders-and Jaguars?
Thanks Russ and Rocco B for the great article on an early year, nice looking AMC. Wouldn’t change a thing on the car, just enjoy.
Weeeeeeell.being from the Beer City, practically blasphemy to rip on Rambler, but I still say Motor Trend owed Ol’ Roy( Abernathy) a favor. To think what wonderful cars could have been chosen, but a RAMBLER??? We were mighty proud of that award, but it did little for sales. Rambler, like Studebaker, just couldn’t shake its “regional” attraction, and for the most part, remained a Midwest offering. I’d wager a bet, the person that ordered this car, either worked on the line or knew someone that did. More than once, did a car come off the line with a bit more than intended. I heard stories, that assemblers knew a certain car was for a family member or friend( or their own) was coming down the line, and got “special” treatment.
Car of the Year or not, it was a beautiful design.
When I was growing up in the 60’s I thought AMC/Ramblers were pretty popular. Where we lived in Northeast Pa. we had 4 AMC dealers within a 20 mile radius and just one Studebaker dealer. I read a story once about 2 boys sitting on their front porch one summer day in the 50’s counting cars. They came to the conclusion that 7 out of 10 cars in the world were Studebakers. They lived in South Bend, Indiana.
AMC was “firing on all cylinders “ then.
One of the reasons that the 1963 Rambler was chosen by Motor Trend was the very advanced (for the time) unit body engineering of the Classic and Ambassador, particularly the “Uniside” door frames consisting of just two large stampings. I remember in the 1990s Lexus commercials bragging about that kind of construction in their cars being an indicator of high quality. (The 1963 American – a 1950 Nash Rambler under the skin – was just along for the ride.)
This one looks very nice though the wheels are a bit incongruous. I used to have a 1964 Classic 770 station wagon this same color but mine had the much more anemic 195.6 six-cylinder engine and “Flash-O-Matic” trans with column shifter. (Also Rambler full hubcaps with center spinners.)
This Classic should move out pretty well with the 287 V8, though handling is adversely affected due to the engine’s weight. The newer line of lighter-weight AMC V8s did not debut until 1966. (Of course chassis dynamics was never a strong point with these cars in the first place.)
Back in the day there was a radio commercial touting Rambler Shift Command which parodied the Nash Rambler “Beep Beep” Song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmliK-LOLzU&t=597s
And, with HD sway bars it handled pretty well, indeed. My widowed mom bought a new one after a torsion bar on her ’58 New Yorker popped while she was quietly reading the Sunday paper at home… thought a shot had been fired!
Anyhow, the 660: black/red interior. She had the dealer (Lakeview Motors, Woodcliff Lake, NJ) paint the roof an off-white. Sharp! I drove it a few times on trips with Wifie and Mom and it drove very nicely ‘cept for the excessive roll in cornering. Oh… and the low shift points (for economy) could be thwarted with judicious use of “Lo” to hold a lower gear, like 2nd up to highway speed. Yippee!
Really nice clean Rambler. I just bought a 65 Rambler, convertible, with a AMC 327 in it, which is rare. Needs quite a bit a work before it looks like this beauty. Nice find, and write up.
PS What’s really aggravating is the door locking assembly on the Rambler. There are no door lock “buttons” to open the door. Locking yourself out of the car with no key becomes a huge headache…
I’m probably wrong, but didn’t the doors lock by pushing down on the inner door handle? That just popped in my head when you mentioned no door lock knows.
IIRC to lock the car’s front doors you’d push downward on the inside door handle. And I can see why it’d be a real bear to try and maneuver a wire coat hanger into the interior and pull up on that handle. But didn’t the rear doors use the buttons like the bulk of cars on the road at that time?
I owned a ’66 Ambassador 4-door and it seems like the front doors had to have their handles pushed down to lock the doors. And it seemed like the rear doors had the buttons.
I also owned two ’67 Ambassador 2-doors (a hardtop and a convertible) and they had the buttons on the front doors.
And I’m thankful I never got locked out of any of them. ;)
Nice car. Looks great. I’m guessing that you would have the only one at Friday ‘Cruise Night’. Take care of it.
Shift Command, yes you could leave it in drive, or shift it yourself through the 3 “gears”. This was 3 years before the Hurst (not Hearse) dual gate or His ‘N Hers in the GTO. AMC was ahead of their time in many ways. With a 287 in this light Rambler, me thinks it would outrun its contemporaries, say a Tempest (LeMans) with a 326 and 2 speed Auto or a Chevelle with a 283 and Powrglide. Nova the same set-up. All 1964s mind you, through in a Fairlane, Falcon or Mustang all 289s, Automatics, it would be Very Interesting.
Oh man, that is SHARP. Looks like today is the day I will keep harping on that the car hobby does not have to be expensive.
Couldn’t believe that is an original color, but it sure is.
Great example. The color and wheels instantly pull you in……
A steal at 15 k,thats the minimum for a decent paint job.
One smart looking Rambler!
Being from the rust belt. It would be best for an under car inspection. And yes, the Blues Brothers (Elwood especially) gotta deal in Mt. Prospect on a slightly used patrol car there!
Real sharp example of an AMC. A buddy’s mom back in the mid -Sixties’ had her Rambler American in this color. Good looking in person and the car too !
This body is 90% copy of 63 Ford falcon . Rarely seen out west at the time .
What a beautiful, rare car. Like it or not, it’s incredible. I would source some original wheel covers and white wall tires. 2026 wheels don’t blend with a 62 year old design package.
Is this one a ‘torque tube’ vehicle?
I really like it!!
Yes, AMC’s larger models used torque tube drive through the 1966 model year. Not fun to work on.
Mom had one like this circa 1966, black on red 2 door hardtop, 287 stick & O.D. It was a cool car. :-) Terry J
Nice Rambler. I think those seats fold flat for sleeping or other activities.
Indeed. With the seats reclined all the way back and the back seat folded down the interior of my old Rambler Classic wagon turned into virtually a single flat surface from front seat cushions to tailgate!
We had a ’64 Classic 660 … really enjoyed those fold down seats …
First car 63 Rambler 3 on the tree, 6 cyl…just turned 16…I really wanted one of those Chevelles, but dad said that Rambler is built like a tank and will get you from point A – B, and still take you further, and survive any collision you are involved with, plus insurance was cheaper! However, what really got my attention was the fold down front seats, and my buddies also, especially on date night!
I bought a 63 Ambassador 327 3 spd overdrive it was a great car black with black & gray interior one of may favs four barrel carbburetor it was very quick at that time.
A beautiful car, the only thing I would change are the rims. I like the originals.😊
Classic hot rod in any language, small car, overhead valve v-8. The only trophy I’d want is the ear to ear smile on my face as I drive it, regularily. A 4 spd would just put it over the top.
I don’t think a 4-speed was available until 1966. For this car the hot ticket would have been the “Twin-Stick” 3-speed floor shift with overdrive.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/vintage-reviews/vintage-car-life-road-test-1963-rambler-ambassador-990-5-speed-manual-twin-stick/
That would work!